Method and apparatus for applying labels to cable

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for attaching a label to a moving cable, the apparatus comprising: an attaching device for applying a label onto a moving cable and a roller for pressing the label against the moving cable, wherein the roller comprises a first roller for pressing one label against the moving cable, wherein the first roller comprises a U shape hollow portion and is mounted at an angle with the U shape hollow portion directly facing a side of the moving cable and wherein the label is formed into a U shape a first edge of the U shape longer than a second edge of the U shape; a first roll down roller for folding the second edge of the label against the moving cable and the first edge of the label; and a second roll down roller for folding the first edge of the label against the folded second edge of the label and wherein the first roll down roller is mounted to overlap the second roll down roller to overlap the label edges onto the moving cable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. ofSer. No. 14/537,752, filed Nov. 10, 2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.9,452,856, issued on Sep. 27, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/162,557, filed Jun. 16, 2011, now issuedas U.S. Pat. No. 8,905,108 on Dec. 9, 2014, which claims priority fromU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/133,355, filed Jun. 4, 2008, nowabandoned, which claims priority benefit from U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/941,737, filed on Jun. 4, 2007; U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/970,510, filed Sep. 6, 2007; U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/985,643, filed on Nov. 5, 2007; U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 60/985,978, filed on Nov. 6, 2007; and from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/020,392 filed on Jan. 10, 2008. Thedisclosures of the above applications are hereby incorporated byreference in the respective entirety of each.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a labeled cables and methods andapparatuses for affixing labels to cables, and more particularly,methods, and apparatuses for affixing labels to moving cables.

2. Description of the Related Art

A cable or conduit generally consists of one or more internal conductorsand a sheath that envelopes internal conductors. Labels are then appliedto the sheath of the cable or conduit to identify characteristics of thecable or conduit, for example, the type and size of the cable orconduit. In the current state of the art, various methods are used toapply specific colors to cable or conduit and/or conduit. One method isto apply an ink directly to an outer sheath of the cable or conduit byspraying, wiping, dripping, brushing, etc. However, colors applied bythis method may not be easily removed and the method in which the ink isapplied may not be easily managed as liquid or powder is used.Therefore, a need exists for an apparatus and a method for applyinginformative labels to cable or conduit and/or conduit without thedisadvantages of the existing methods.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One disclosed embodiment of the invention provides a labeled cablecomprising an outer surface having corrugations comprising alternatingridges and grooves disposed on the outer surface; and a label having alabel body, the label body having an attaching side having an adhesivedisposed thereon, the attaching side attachable to the ridges andspanning across the grooves.

In still another disclosed embodiment of the invention an apparatus isconfigured for affixing a label to a cable moving in a directionparallel to the cable's axis. The label has front and back sides and aperimeter. The apparatus is configured to affix the label to the cablein a manner in which the label wraps completely around a perimeter ofthe cable. The apparatus includes a bottom push up roller having achannel configured to receive a moving cable; a first roll down rollerdownstream of the top push up roller disposed lateral to the movingcable and configured to fold down a side of a label onto the cable; asecond roll down roller downstream of the first roll down rollerdisposed lateral to the moving cable on a side opposite to the firstroll down roller and configured to fold down a side of a label onto thecable; and a top push down roller having a channel configured to receivea moving cable.

In still another disclosed embodiment of the invention the apparatus isconfigured to affix the label to the cable in a manner in which the backside of the label is partially flush with an outer surface of the cable,the label body has a thickness of about 1.5 mil to 2.0 mil formaintaining the stiffness of the label body across the grooves, and thelabel is formed from polyolefin.

In still another disclosed embodiment of the invention the apparatus isconfigured to affix an electrically conductive label with electricallyconductive adhesive on the attaching side to the cable in which thelabel includes a human readable side containing human recognizableindicia such as alpha numeric characters.

The following description and drawings set forth in detail a number ofillustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments areindicative of but a few of the various ways in which the presentinvention may be utilized. The summary is not intended to limit thescope of the invention, which is defined solely by the claims attachedhereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention is provided by referenceto the following detailed description of the appended drawings andfigures. The following descriptions, in conjunction with the appendedfigures, enable a person having skill in the art to recognize thenumerous advantages and features of the invention by understanding thevarious disclosed embodiments. These drawings are provided to facilitatethe reader's understanding of the invention and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the invention. Itshould be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawingsare not necessarily made to scale. The following figures are utilized tobest illustrate these features.

Some of the figures included herein illustrate various embodiments ofthe invention from different viewing angles. Although the accompanyingdescriptive text may refer to such views as “top,” “bottom” or “side”views, such references are merely descriptive and do not imply orrequire that the invention be implemented or used in a particularspatial orientation unless explicitly stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary cable or conduit in accordance withone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a perspective view of a labeled cable inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A is a diagram of a roller forming part of an apparatus foraffixing labels to a moving cable in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 2B is a diagram of a roller and a label with holes disposed thereonattached to the cable in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a partial side view of an apparatus for affixinglabels to a moving cable in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a perspective overview of one disclosed method ofoperation of the components of an apparatus for affixing labels to amoving cable in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a diagram of a perspective overview of one disclosed methodof operation of the components of an apparatus for affixing labels to amoving cable in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a bottom push up roller and a peel blade inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a label after being operated on by a first rolldown roller in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a first roll down roller in operation inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a second roll down roller in an initial stage ofoperation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a second roll down roller in a subsequent stageof operation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of a top push down roller in operation inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a heat tunnel component of the apparatus foraffixing labels to a moving cable in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 12 is an operational flow diagram of an embodiment of an apparatusfor affixing labels to a moving cable in accordance with one embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 12A is a diagram of a front view of a bottom push up roller inoperation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12B is a diagram of a front view of first and second roll downrollers in operation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12C is a diagram of a front view of a member for pushing a label toone side in operation in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 12D is a diagram of a front view of a top push down roller inoperation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12E is a diagram of a cross sectional view of a label with sidespositioned upward with disparate heights in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12F is a diagram of a cross sectional view of a tamp pad in aninitial stage of operation in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 12G is a diagram of a cross sectional view of a tamp pad in asubsequent stage of operation in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an operational flow of one disclosed embodimentof an apparatus for affixing labels to a moving cable;

FIG. 13A is a diagram of a tamp pad in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 13B is a diagram of labels moving onto the tamp pad perpendicularto the direction of motion of the cable in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13C is a diagram of a tamp pad with a label disposed thereon movingupward toward a moving a cable in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 13D is a diagram of a tamp pad attaching a label to a moving cablein accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13E is a diagram of a label after it is attached to the cable bythe tamp pad in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13F is a diagram of a bottom push up roller in operation inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13G is a diagram of a first roll down roller in operation inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13G1 is a diagram of one disclosed embodiment for rolling down alabel to a moving cable;

FIG. 13H is a diagram of a label after being operated on by the firstroll down roller in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13I is a diagram of a second roll down roller in operation inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13J is a diagram of a second roll down roller in a later stage ofoperation in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13K is a diagram of a top push down roller in operation inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a diagram of a perspective view of a tamp pad having vacuumports in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventionto the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that theinvention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and thatthe invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

From time-to-time, the present invention is described herein in terms ofthese example environments. Description in terms of these environmentsis provided to allow the various features and embodiments of theinvention to be portrayed in the context of an exemplary application.After reading this description, it will become apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art how the invention can be implemented indifferent and alternative environments.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications,published applications and other publications referred to herein areincorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forthin this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with adefinition set forth in applications, published applications and otherpublications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definitionset forth in this document prevails over the definition that isincorporated herein by reference.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use the invention. The general principles describedherein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than thosedetailed below without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims. The presentinvention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles andfeatures disclosed herein.

The invention is directed toward a labeled cable and an apparatus foraffixing a label to a moving cable, and more particularly someembodiments are directed to a labeled corrugated cable and apparatusesand methods of applying a label to the cable.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary cable or conduit in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention is disclosed. A smooth, attachable,printable label 1 is affixed to the sheath of a corrugated cable 2. Thelabel has a label body 1A or substrate that bridges across the grooves 4adjacent to and alternating between the ridges 3 of the sheath of thecable. The body of the label 1A may wrap around the cable less than orequal to 360 degrees. In another disclosed embodiment, the body of thelabel 1A may wrap around the cable more than 360 degrees for retentionto the cable 2. The label body 1A may have an adhesive on the side ofthe label 1 that attaches to the cable 2 and may be of a thickness thatprevents the label 1 from dipping down into the grooves 4 of the cable 2when it is attached to the cable 2. In another disclosed embodiment, thelabel 1 attaches to the cable 2 by dipping down into the grooves 4 ofthe cable 2 and at least partially conforming to the ridges 3 andgrooves 4 of the cable 2. The adhesion of the label 1 to the ridges 3permits the label 1 to conform to the circumference of the sheath andstay attached to the ridges 3 of the cable 2. In one disclosedembodiment, the thickness of the label is between 1.5 to 2.0 mil. Whenthe body of the label 1A is wrapped around the cable more than 360degrees, it will overlap itself and adhere to part of itself, whichprovides more adherence and longevity of its life and purpose which, inone embodiment, is to display information regarding the cable, howeverany type of information may be displayed. The body of the label 1A afterit is attached to the sheath of the cable 2, provides a continuoussurface with a relatively flat configuration that may serve as a canvassto paint on or print on. In another disclosed embodiment, the label body1A may be emblazoned with human and/or machine readable data. The humanand/or machine readable data includes alpha numeric characters which maydisplay manufacturer specific information, cable specifications,warnings, advertisement, or job-site designations. The purpose of thealpha numeric characters includes identifying the number of conductors,type of insulation, type of cable, type of application, or anything atall including but not limited to the wire gauge. Further, as isdisclosed in FIG. 2, the electrical characteristics of the cable 2, the120 V indicia on the label body 1A, may be provided.

In one embodiment, the label 1 may be comprised of electricallyconductive material such as electrically conductive polyofelin and mayinclude an electrically nonconductive adhesive.

Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of a perspective view of a labeled cablein accordance with one embodiment of the invention is disclosed. Toindicate that the cable 2 is of the particular type, a label 1 isaffixed around the circumference of the outer surface of the sheath ofthe cable 2. In one disclosed embodiment, the label 1 has writing 1B onit to coincide with the insulations and to indicate the type of theconductor inside the MC or AC cable, thus relieving the person lookingfor information pertinent to the cable 2 from having to have knowledgein deciphering a code for cables, that may for example include colors,dots, dashes, stripes, bands, solid colors, and any other patterns andindicia requiring a particular knowledge, for cables, in order toquickly obtain information regarding the cable 2.

In one disclosed implementation of the invention shown in FIG. 2, an MCor AC type 277-volt flexible armored cable 2 includes several internalconductors and a readable label 1 affixed and displayed on the outersurface of the sheath that is emblazoned with letters of any alphabet1B. In this implementation, there is no need to print information on thecable 2 itself, as the label 1 provides the substrate for printing.Persons who install or maintain a labeled cable in accordance with adisclosed embodiment of the invention, may quickly and instantly readthe label 1 to identify the conductors in the particular type of cable2, such as their gauge, voltage rating, etc., even though they may notbe able to see the insulation on the internal wires. They may alsorecognize the cable 2 as being of type MC or AC based on the writing onthe label 1. Knowing the type or function of a given cable 2 withoutseeing the insulations on the internal wires, and without having tomemorize a code, can save time and reduce hazards.

A sequence of labels can be repeated all along the length of the cable.In one disclosed embodiment, labels 1 may be placed on successivesections of a steel or metal cable 2 as it is dispensed from a feed rolland just before the strip enters a forming machine where it isconvoluted.

In the case of a labeling machine that applies the label to a movingsteel strip just before it enters the forming (convoluting) machine, thelabeling machine must be able to switch labels quickly and to apply andcure or shrink the label in a short time between when the strip arrivesat the labeling machine and when it is delivered into the formingmachine.

The labels 1 may be a tag or sticker, for identifying a continuousprocessed cable, wire, conductor, hose, tube, rod, belt, cord of round,oval, rectangular or other cross sectional shape, that is attached tothe outside surface at certain intervals and are emblazoned with humanand/or machine readable markings or indicia.

In one disclosed embodiment, the label body 1A may be composed ofpolyolefin and have a thickness from 1.5 mil to 2.0 mil. However, thelabel body 1A may be any other shrinkable or non-shrinkable material, orpolyester or other plastic or elastomer or paper or a thin, film typemetal or natural, organic or inorganic substance or material that willconform to the shape of the cable, wire, conductor, hose, tube, rod,belt, cord of any cross sectional shape.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a diagram of a roller 225 forming part of anapparatus for affixing labels to a moving cable in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention is disclosed. In another disclosedembodiment, the label body may wrap around the cable less than 360degrees around the outer surface of a continuous processed, cable, wire,conductor, hose, tube, rod, belt, cord of any cross sectional shape.

In a further embodiment, the label 1 does not attach continuously alongthe length of said cable, wire, conductor, hose, tube, rod, belt, orcord 2 of a particular cross sectional shape but is attached at certain,repeated, determinable intervals and thus requires the tag or label 1,to be of certain length along the cable, wire, conductor, hose, tube,rod, belt, or cord 2 of said cross sectional shape.

In one disclosed implementation, affixing a label 1 to a cable 2 isachieved by attaching the label 1 onto the cable 2 after the cable hasbeen helically wrapped with metal sheathing such as with armored cableor metal-clad cable.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a diagram of a roller and a label with holesdisposed thereon attached to the cable in accordance with one embodimentof the invention is disclosed. In this disclosed embodiment, the label 1has holes 10, or perforations, disposed throughout label 1 thatpenetrate completely through the label 1. When the label 1 is placed onthe cable 2, the holes 10 serve to prevent the label 2 from impeding theflow of electrical current. For example, if the cable 2 is feeding intoan electrical junction box, it is often desirable to ground the cable 2via electrical contact with the junction box. If the point of contactbetween the cable and the junction box happens to line up with a labeledportion of the cable 2, the holes 10 allow for electrical contactbetween the labeled portion of the cable 2 and the junction box.

FIGS. 3-10A depict one disclosed embodiment of an apparatus for affixingone or more labels to a cable moving in line with the cable's axis. Thelabels 1 have front and back sides and a perimeter. Referring to FIG. 3,the apparatus includes a label dispenser having a speed of dispensinglabels that is adjustable and synchronized with the linear speed of themoving cable 2. A bottom push up roller 220 is separated by a distance Dfrom an edge 307 of a peel blade 305 of the dispenser. The distance D isdetermined based on the stiffness of a label as it detaches from itsbacking strip. The distance D will necessarily be less than the lengthof a label 1. The labels 1 dispense with the adhesive side facing up asshown in FIG. 5. In one disclosed implementation, the dispenser and thepeel blade 305 are positioned to dispense and peel labels 1 in the samedirection as the motion of the cable 2 moving along its axis.

In one disclosed embodiment, the cable 2 may be positioned to move overthe peel blade 305 at a point 309 along the edge 307 so that the labelforms an unequal U shape around the cable when received by the bottompush up roller 220. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIGS. 5-11, depending onthe point 309 where the cable 2 moves over the labels 1 moving off thepeel blade is positioned, the disparity 242 in height of the sides 241,243 of the label as it is formed into a U shape may be adjusted. Forexample, if the cable 2 is centered on the labels 1, the sides 241, 243of the sides of the U shape label will be equal in height. As the cableis positioned further from a center line of the labels 1, the moreunequal the heights of the sides 241, 243 will be when folded up intothe U shape.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 12, the bottom push up roller 220 has a channel230 configured for receiving a cable 2 to be labeled, and the channel230 is bounded by side walls 225. The roller 220 is configured forfolding a label into a U shape around the cable 2 as the cable 2 andlabel 1 enter the roller 220. The roller 220 is rotatable about its axis235 and the axis 235 is perpendicular to the direction of travel of thecable 2. The bottom push up roller 220 is disposed below the movingcable 2 so the cable 2 moves between the side walls 225. The side wallsmay assist in affixing the adhesive backed label 1 to the cable 2.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, downstream of the bottom push up roller 220 is afirst roll down roller 310A. The first roll down roller 310A is disposedlateral to a first side 2A of the moving cable 2 and has a channel 230bounded by side walls 225 and is configured to receive a moving cable 2having a label 1 partially folded over therewith into a U shape by thebottom push up roller 220. The first roll down roller 310A is configuredto fold down a shorter side 241 of the label 1 onto the moving cable 2.

In another disclosed embodiment, the roll down rollers 310A, 310B mayonly have one side wall for folding down the sides of the U shaped labelon the cable 2.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, further downstream is a second roll downroller 310B disposed lateral to a second side of the cable, opposite tothe first side, and has a channel 230 bounded by side walls 225. Thesecond roll down roller 310B is configured to receive a moving cable 2having one shorter side 241 of the label folded down onto the cable 2 bythe first roll down roller 310A. The second roll down roller 310B isconfigured to fold down a longer side 243 of the label 1 onto the movingcable 2 and over the shorter folded down side, with part of the adhesiveside of the label 1 affixing to the top of the shorter folded down side.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, downstream of the roll down rollers 310A,310B is a top push down roller 265. In one disclosed embodiment, the toppush down roller 265 is solid with no channel and presses the label 1against the cable 2 to secure attachment. In another embodiment, the toppush down roller may be of similar shape to the bottom push up roller220 and include a channel and side walls for receiving the cable 2.

In another disclosed embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 11, a heat tunnel231 may be provided downstream of the rollers. After the label 1 isaffixed, the labeled cable 2 may be treated with hot air or radiant heatto cause the label 1 to shrink, preferably circumferentially. The heattunnel and all the other components of the apparatus for affixing labels1 to the cable 2 may be configured to rise out of the way when ascrambled or broken cable 2 approaches the apparatus.

In operation, an unlabeled cable 2 moves in a direction in line with itsaxis as indicated by the thick arrows in the figures. A label dispenserdispenses labels 1 adhered to a backing strip. As the backing stripmoves over a peel blade, a label 1 detaches from the backing strip andis caught by the bottom push up roller 220 and is wedged between thecable and the roller 220. As the roller rotates, the label 1 is foldedupward over the sides of the cable 2 so that two sides of the label areupright in a U shape. Next, the folded label 1 moves with the cable 2into the first roll down roller and one side of the label is foldeddown. Subsequently, the cable 2 with the label 1 having one side foldeddown enters the second roll down roller 310B and a side wall pushes downthe other side of the label 1. Subsequently, the labeled cable 2 ismoved under the top push down roller to further press the label againstthe cable 2.

In another disclosed embodiment, shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 13A throughFIG. 13J, the dispenser and peel blade 305 is oriented to dispenselabels 1 perpendicular to the direction of motion of a cable 2 movingalong its axis. Referring to FIG. 14, a tamp pad 205 is provided havinga U shaped channel 215 disposed in a flat top side 212 of the tamp pad205. Vacuum ports 214 are disposed on the top side 212 to receive labelshaving an adhesive side facing up dispensed from the peel blade 305. Thetamp pad having received a label 1, moves upward to engage a movingcable 2 into the channel 215, thus folding the label 1 into a U shape inthe channel between the tamp pad 205 and the moving cable 2 as depictedin FIGS. 13B through 13D. Depending on the distance between the tamp pad205 and the peel blade 307, the sides of the label 1 folded in to a Ushape will be of differing heights.

Since the cable 2 is moving, the label 1 has traveled off of the tamppad 205 and the grooved tamp pad returns to a lowered position away fromthe moving cable 2 and another adhesive backed label 1 may be dispensedonto the tamp pad 205. Vacuum holes 214 in the grooved tamp pad in theflat area of the grooved tamp pad are commencing with a vacuum conditionto hold the label 1 in place for a specified period of time until thegrooved tamp pad is pressed against the moving cable 2 and another Ushaped attachment configuration cycle is repeated.

The labeled cable may then move into a bottom push up roller 220 forfurther securing the label to the cable. Next, the folded label moveswith the cable into the first roll down roller and the shorter side ofthe label is folded down. Subsequently, the cable with the label havingthe shorter side folded down enters the second roll down roller 310B anda side wall pushes down the other taller side of the label.Subsequently, the labeled cable is moved under the top push down rollerto further press the label against the cable.

In yet another disclosed embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13G1, a secondtamp having a channel configured to press down a shorter side of a Ushaped label 1 is disclosed. Downstream, a third tamp pad may press downthe other taller side of the label 1. The second and third tamp pads maybe used in place of the roll down rollers 310A, 310B, but otherwise, thecomponents in the above described embodiments may remain the same.

A heat tunnel with a specified opening and a specified length and aspecified wattage for heat generation encompasses the moving labeledcable 2 downstream of the rollers. When the When the moving labeledcable 2 enters the heat tunnel, the heat is controlled specifically forshrinking the label 1 in a specified way without damaging the text onthe label 1. Independent of how large and bold any text displayed on thelabel 1 is, the label 1 will not absorb too much heat to damage thelabel 1. The heat is controllable for different sizes of labeled cable2.

A release system with a specified range of opening causes the labelingand wrapping mechanisms to part or move away from the moving cable 2.This is to eliminate damage to the labeling and wrapping mechanisms whendamaged, frayed, stringy, etc. sections of cable arrive at the labelingwrapping mechanism.

Although the invention has been shown and described with respect tocertain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations andmodifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the readingand understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Inaddition, while a particular feature of the invention may have beendisclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such featuremay be combined with one or more other features of the other embodimentsas may be desired. It is therefore, contemplated that the claims willcover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the truescope of the invention.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams maydepict an example architectural or other configuration for theinvention, which is done to aid in understanding the features andfunctionality that can be included in the invention. The invention isnot restricted to the illustrated example architectures orconfigurations, but the desired features can be implemented using avariety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it willbe apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional,logical or physical partitioning and configurations can be implementedto implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, amultitude of different constituent module names other than thosedepicted herein can be applied to the various partitions. Additionally,with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and methodclaims, the order in which the steps are presented herein shall notmandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recitedfunctionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplaryembodiments and implementations, it should be understood that thevarious features, aspects and functionality described in one or more ofthe individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to theparticular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can beapplied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the otherembodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments aredescribed and whether or not such features are presented as being a partof a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the presentinvention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplaryembodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or“an” should be read as meaning “at least one”, “one or more” or thelike; and adjectives such as “conventional”, “traditional”, “normal”,“standard”, “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construedas limiting the item described to a given time period or to an itemavailable as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompassconventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may beavailable or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, wherethis document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known toone of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass thoseapparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in thefuture.

A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read asrequiring that each and every one of those items be present in thegrouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly statedotherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or”should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, butrather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly statedotherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of theinvention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural iscontemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to thesingular is explicitly stated.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more”, “atleast”, “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instancesshall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or requiredin instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of theterm “module” does not imply that the components or functionalitydescribed or claimed as part of the module are all configured in acommon package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of amodule, whether control logic or other components, can be combined in asingle package or separately maintained and can further be distributedacross multiple locations.

Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described interms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations.As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art afterreading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their variousalternatives can be implemented without confinement to the illustratedexamples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying descriptionshould not be construed as mandating a particular architecture orconfiguration.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for attaching a label to a movingcable, the apparatus comprising: an attaching device for applying alabel onto a moving cable, wherein the label has a first attaching edgeand a second attaching edge; and a roller for pressing the label againstthe moving cable, wherein the roller comprises: a first roller forpressing one label against the moving cable, wherein the label ispressed against the moving cable with the first edge and the second edgeof the label on opposites sides of the moving cable; a first roll downroller for folding the second edge of the label against the movingcable; and a second roll down roller for folding the first edge of thelabel against the moving cable.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theroller further comprises a second roller opposite the first roller, thesecond roller for pressing the folded label against the moving cable. 3.The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first roller comprises a U shapehollow portion and is mounted at an angle with the U shape hollowportion directly facing a side of the moving cable.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the second roller comprises a U shape hollow portionand is mounted at an angle with the U shape hollow portion directlyfacing a side of the moving cable.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a heating device, wherein the heating device provides heat tothe folded label.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the label shrinksto fit the circumference of the moving cable upon exposure to heat. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the moving cable is a cable bodyhaving an outermost sheath with convolutions defining alternatinggrooves and ridges.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the label ispressed against the ridges of the outermost sheath.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the label is wrapped around the moving cable in atleast a 360 degree encasement.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein thelabel is wrapped around the moving cable in less than a 360 degreeencasement.
 11. The apparatus in claim 1, wherein the roller furthercomprising a rounding member.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theattaching device is set to a predetermined force.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the predetermined force allows the label to attach toa moving oily cable.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachingdevice has a vacuum port disposed thereon for holding the label onto theattaching device prior to application of the label to the moving cable.15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the vacuum port is connected to aprogrammable vacuum system.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a label dispenser, wherein the label dispenser supplies thelabel to the attaching device.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, whereinthe attaching device is connected to a reciprocating device foradvancing the attaching device to the moving cable, attaching the labelto the moving cable, then returning to the label dispenser to captureanother label.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the labeldispenser dispenses the label off-center onto the attaching device, andwherein the off-center label forms the U shape with unequal edgelengths.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the label is wrappedaround the moving cable in at least a 360 degree encasement.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the label is wrapped around the movingcable in less than a 360 degree encasement.